A Prayer For The Whole Earth

May God be merciful and bless us.

May his face smile with favor on us.

May your ways be known throughout the earth,

your saving power among people everywhere.

May the nations praise you, O God.

Yes, may all the nations praise you.

Psalm 67:1-3

God’s salvation was meant not only for his chosen people, Israel, but also for all the peoples of the earth. This prayer first asks God to show his favor to Israel, but the psalmist goes on to ask that God’s ways and his saving power be made known “among people everywhere,” so that God would receive the praises due him from all nations—not just Israel. The birth, death, and resurrection of his Son answered this prayer. When Jesus ascended into heaven, he told his disciples, “It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent’ ” (Luke 24:47).

May God grant us the understanding of his will so that we, too, will pray for the salvation of all nations.

• O Lord, may your ways be known throughout the earth, your saving power among people everywhere . . .